Shock absorber and equalizer



eb 22" 927 M. L. FRINK sHocK ABsoRBER AND EQUALIZER Filed JulxT 13, 1925 Patented Feb. 22, 1927;

UNITED STATES htle `PATENT QSFFlgCE.

MELVIN L. FRINK, OF WELLS'ION, MISSOURI, ASSIGNOR, BY DIRECT AND, MESNE AS- SIGNMENTS, OF ONE-THIRD TO WILLI-AM KRIZ AND T'iETO-T-IIRDS T0 FREDERICK E'.

'.D. REYNOLDS, 0F ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI.

SHOCK ABSORBER ANB EQUALIZER.

Application filed July 13,1925. Serial No. 43,1921

YThis invention relates to new and useful improvements in shock absorbers and equalequalizer for vehicles which is simple in operation, serves to check and equalize the rebound movement of both ends of the chassis, ran be readily attached in position, and can be economically manufactured.

Still further objects of the invention are lto provide simple means for adjusting the tension of the device.

With these and other objects'in view, my invention consists in certain novel features of construction and arrangement of parts, hereinafter more fully described and claimed, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a rear end view of the lvehicle equipped with my improved shock absorber and equalizer.

Figure 2 is a vertical cross section taken longitudinally through the device and showing parts of the vehicle to which said device is connected.

Figure 3 is a side elevational view of same.

Figure 4 is a detail view showing the manner in which the tension member is connected to the transverse shaft of the device. The invention herein disclosed consists of devices including springs for controlling or checking the relative movementy or movements of the vehicle-body and the axles and Asaid device or devices are used independently of the usual spring suspension 0f the vehicle.

Referring by numerals `to the accompanyu ing drawings, 10 indicates the chassis of a vehicle and 11 one of the axles thereof.V yA shaft 12 is disposed transversely of the vehicle and parallel with the axle 11 and is revolubly journaled nearits ends in bearingsy 14 formed integral with brackets 15 which sorber and equalizer is are supported by theside members of the chassis by means of fastening devices 16 and plates 17. Each plate 17 is provided with a protuberance 17 a which fits between the horizontally disposed flanges of theside memj bers of chassis 10, as shown in Figure 2.

A pulley 18 issecured to each end of shaft 12 in any suitable manner,.such as av pin 19, and operatingover said pulley Vis a strap 20, one end of which is fixed to said wardly and encircles axle 11 and the extremity of said end is attached to the body portion of the strap by a clamp 21, thereby prepulley while the opposite end extends downi venting disengagement of the` strap from axle l1.

A pair of coiled springs or resilient members 22 is arranged onshaft 12 and the linner ends of said members are anchored to collars 24 which `are fixed to said shaft 12. The outer ends of said springs have fixed relation with respect `to the chassis of the vehicle and are preferably anchored to extensions 25 of plates 17. Springs 22 are preferably left handed yand right handed and the tension of said springs is ina direction away from the axle in orderto maintain the straps 20 in taut positions, as indicated by the arrow in Figure 3. One or both ends of shaft 12may be providedl with square heads, as indicated at 12a, whereby said shaft may be turned in the proper direction to 'adjust the tension of said springs. The tension of said springsk mayl alsoA be adjusted by releasing clamps 21 and drawing up or releasing the strap. 4

When the chassis and the vaxle of the vehicle are moved inwardly relative to each other, the straps are wound on the pulley 18 by virtue of springs 22. During the return or outward movement of the .vehicle parts, pulleys 18 will be turned in opposite directions, -thereby winding or increasing the tension of springs 22 and thus retarding therebound movement of the -vehicle' parts; By virtue of thev fact-that shaft 12 extends throughout the Vwidth of the chassis, the rebound movement will be equalized whereby both sides ofthe vehicle will move in unison, thereby eliminating' side motion or sway thereof. The springs22 are of equal ten-` to the rear axle of a vehicle, but it is ol vious `that my invention is equally :u: `well adapted and is intended for use with thel front axle also.

`TVhile I have shown and described the preferred form of my improved shock ahsorber and equalizer, it will he readilyv nnderstood that minor cha f rcs can be made in the construction, without departingl` trom the Spirit of my invention.

I claim:

LA shock absorber and equalizer com `prising a revoluble member adapted to be carried transversely of' a vehicle chase. .1. pulley carried b v each end o1 said member, flexible connections connected to the `peripheries of said pulleys with the axle adjacent to each side of said chassis for imparting1 rotary movement to said pulleys b v the relatime` movements of said chassis and said. axle, and a resilient member connected to said chassis and said revoluble member for retarding the relative movements ot said chassis and said axle.

2. A shock absorber and equalizer coinprising a vehicle chassis. a revoluble meniber carried transversely by and coexteneive with the Width `of said chassis. a pnlle)T fixed to each end ot' said shaft, a` flexible connection connected to the vehicle `axle and `to each pulley for actuatingr said revoluble member by the relative movements oft saidv axle and said chassis. and a resilient member connected to said `revolnble member and said chassis for opposing the actuation ol said revoluble member and retardiug;N the relative movement of said chassis and "said axle.

3. In a device of the class described, a shaft adapted to be carriedivby a vehicle chassis parallel with the axle thereof, a pulley for each end of said shaft, a lievible connection secured to the axle andin pe ripheral engagement vvit-h each oi. said pnl leys for rotating the latter by the relative movements of said axle and said chassis.` and a coil spring.;r on said shaft having.r one end fixed and the other in cooperative relation with said pulleys for opposing the revoluble movement thereof, therebyv retarding` the relative movements of said axle and said chassis. i i i 4. In a device of the class described.` a revoluble shaft extending' transversely oil" and in fixed relation with the vehicle chassis, a `pulley fixed to each end oi. said shaft` a strap operating over each pulley and secured to the vehicle axle whereby the relative movcimagine iucnts ol said vehicle and Caid aXlc actuates through said pulleys said shaft, and a spring,V arranged in cooperative relation with said shal't for yieldingly resisting the revoluble movement of said shalt, thereby relardiimr `the relative moveineiits ol said vehicle parts.

5. A shock absorber and equalizer i'or vehicles comprisii'ig a rcvoluble shait extendinej tl'ansversehof and carried by a vehicle chassis, a puller` fixed lo each end of said shalt. a strap [ined at one end to the peripheral surface of said pulley and operating thereovcr and having its opposite. end ifi-1aed to .said vehicle axle, n'hereb) the relative movi-quent ot one end of said aide and one :side oi' said chassis actuates both pulleys to preserve parallel m between the axle and the vehicle cha. and coiled springs arranged on said shaft and anchored at one oi their ends to said shaft and at the opposite eruls to said vehicle chassis for oliering yielding; resistance to the rerolulile movement ol said shaft.;

l. .ln a shock absorber and equalizer l'or vehicle. chas the combination with the vehicle chase and the axle thereof, oi? bear ino-rli)` l to the opposite sides of said chassis, a revolublo shaft jonrnalcd in said bearinnri and dispcsed parallel to said axle, pulleys iircd to each end ot said shalt, a lle'xible connection attached to one end oi said axle and operating` over said pulley whereby the relative. movement olf saideaxle and said chassis causes revolnble movement of said elialt, and tension members arranged on said shalt 'tor vieldingly opposing` the rotary movement thereof. Y

T. "ln ashock zbsorber and equalizer for vehicles, the combination with the vehicle. chassis and an attic thereof, ol" brackets attached to the .side members ot" said chassis, bearings carried by said brackets,` a shalt dif-spared. transrcrsej.' ol said chassis and. jonrnaled in said bearings, a pilillej; fixed te nach end ot' said shalt. a strap iixed at one end to the pi-nipheral tace of said pulley and operating thereover andiiztcd at the oppeUe end lo the axle, and a pair ot' coiled sp grs anchored at one olE their ends to said sha'rt and at the opposite ends to said chassis i'or resisting; the revoluble movement of raid shalt and therebiv retardinn the reihtive movement oi' said chassis and said axle. ln testimon);v Whereo't` l hereunto ailix my signature this 25th day ol' June, 1925.

MELVIN L; FRINK. 

